Delhi HC Orders Takedown of YouTube Channels Posting Deepfake Videos of Journalist Rajat Sharma

The Delhi High Court has directed that two YouTube channels be taken down for circulating deepfake videos of journalist Rajat Sharma and violating his personality rights.

The order was passed by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora on a petition filed by Sharma. He alleged that certain channels were spreading AI-generated content and misinformation using his likeness.

The Court recalled that in December last year, another bench had already granted interim protection to Sharma's personality rights and ordered the removal of deepfake and AI-generated videos targeting him.

In the fresh order, the Court has asked Google LLC, which operates YouTube, to remove the two identified channels within 36 hours. Google has also been told to share the channels' basic subscriber information, contact details and monetisation data with Sharma within one week.

Sharma has also been allowed to approach Google if any other false or manipulated video targeting him appears in the future. In such cases, Google must remove the content within 48 hours of being informed.

The Court also added that Google must make efforts through its own technology to identify and remove identical or reuploaded content, so that the responsibility of locating such videos does not fall entirely on the plaintiff.

Case Title: Rajat Sharma & anr vs Tamara Doc & ors

Bench: Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora

Hearing Date: 7 November 2025